John Bercow was accused during dramatic exchanges in the Commons yesterday of
swearing at a senior official. The Speaker was confronted by the
Conservative MP Michael Fabricant, who suggested that the outburst had
contributed to the decision of Sir Robert Rogers, the Commons clerk, to
retire from parliament after 42 years.

Mr Fabricant said that Mr Bercow had told Sir Robert to “f*** off”.

The Speaker, who is deeply unpopular among Tory MPs for what they regard as
his high-handed manner, denied the claims. Mr Fabricant said that Mr Bercow
had used the insult against Sir Robert “at least once”.